Between Hills And Fortresses: The Formation of Rio de Janeiro
From the defensive quadrangle to the modern city and the expansion of urban space
Challenges of nature
The city of Rio de Janeiro as we know it today originated from diverse terrains such as hills, swamps, and slopes. To grow, the city confronted its own difficult topography, overcame natural obstacles, erected fortifications, and sacrificed entire hills.
Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, 1767
The initial settlement of Rio de Janeiro occurred between four hills: Castelo, Santo Antônio, São Bento, and Conceição. This natural formation defined the city's boundaries and offered strategic protection.
Igreja dos Jesuítas, Morro do Castelo (1910)General Archive of Rio de Janeiro City
Jesuit Church, 1910s
The Portuguese Crown distributed the hills to religious orders: Jesuits at the Castle, Benedictines at São Bento, Franciscans at Santo Antônio. From there, fortresses were built on the highest points, reinforcing the city's defense.
Last Mass at the Jesuit Church, Morro do Castelo
In 1567, after the French invasions and wars with the Tamoio indigenous people, the city was moved to Castle Hill, then called by various names: Rest Hill, Cathedral Hill, Saint Januarius Hill, among others. Churches, schools, and other establishments were built there.
Morro do Castelo (27.05.1924) by Augusto MaltaGeneral Archive of Rio de Janeiro City
Debris from Morro do Castelo, 1924
Under the guise of urban modernization and sanitation, the hill was gradually demolished, initially with the reforms of Mayor Pereira Passos (1902-1906), and later with the administration of Mayor Carlos Sampaio (1920-22).
Morro do Castelo, 1928
The process to eradicate the hill involved modern technologies of the time, such as water cannons and the use of dynamite, not to mention the forced removal of thousands of people.
The Esplanada do Castelo in 1928
The demolition of the hill was part of major urban reforms inspired by European models based on the discourse of modernity and civilization.
Washington Luís visiting Morro do Castelo, 1928
The project faced opposition from many intellectuals, such as Monteiro Lobato and Lima Barreto, who questioned the social impacts and the loss of the city's memory.
Aerofotogrametria (1928/1928)General Archive of Rio de Janeiro City
Aerial photogrammetry highlighting Morro da Conceição
From the original quadrilateral shape of the city's formation, we find Morro da Conceição in the Saúde region and Morro de São Bento, near Avenida Presidente Vargas and the port area.
Mosteiro de São BentoGeneral Archive of Rio de Janeiro City
Saint Benedict Monastery
Among the hills of the original quadrangle, Morro de São Bento is one of the rare intact remnants. At its summit, the Monastery of São Bento was established, founded in 1590. It is currently considered one of Brazil's greatest colonial treasures.
Morro do PInto (1925/1925) by Provável Augusto MaltaGeneral Archive of Rio de Janeiro City
Morro do Pinto, 1925
Morro do Pinto still stands in the middle of the port area. It was the birthplace of Ernesto Nazareth, composer of several maxixes, including the "Brazilian tango" entitled "Odeon".
Central do Brasil (1983)General Archive of Rio de Janeiro City
Pinto and Providência hills, 20th century
It is interesting to note the persistence of the hills in the port area, which were not the target of urban development interventions. The wall they form in the urban landscape camouflaged the port's activities, separating the world of work, considered "wild," from a "civilized" city.
Mayor of the City of Rio de Janeiro:
Eduardo Cavalieri
Secretary of Culture:
Lucas Padilha Wosgrau
President of the General Archive of the City:
Elizeu Santiago Tavares de Sousa
Director of the Collection:
Rafael Martins de Araujo
Exhibition and historical research:
Luciene Carris
Review:
Antônio Edmilson Martins Rodrigues
Creation and assembly:
Conrado Werneck Pimentel and Luciene Carris
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